Lake City Criminal Record Expunction
Expunging your criminal record
At the Lake City law firm of Kennon, Kendron & Kennon, P.A., our attorneys understand that nobody wants a criminal charge following them for the rest of their lives — and they are frequently asked if it is possible to expunge or seal a record. The answer is complicated. In Florida, you must be able to prove that you are eligible to have your records expunged or sealed. Your ability to do so will depend on whether you were adjudicated as guilty of the crime, whether, after your arrest, the charges were dropped and to a large degree, what charges were brought against you.
Understanding the difference between sealing and expunging
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is where your records reside, and is also who decides whether your records may be either sealed or expunged. When your record is expunged, it is no longer shown by the Clerk of the Court or the arresting law enforcement agency. The only extant record of your arrest will be held by the FDLE — all others will be destroyed. In essence, it is as though the charge never happened.
When a record is sealed, it is still on file but is not available to or viewable by the public — unless the court orders it to be unsealed.
Valid grounds for having a criminal charge expunged or sealed
Your record may be expunged if the charges against you were dismissed and if you have never been adjudicated, meaning found guilty, of another crime.
Your records may be sealed if you plead guilty or no contest, you have never been found guilty of another crime, and if you received a withhold of adjudication — meaning that did not receive a formal conviction.
There are crimes for which a charge makes you ineligible to have your record expunged or sealed
If you have been charged with any of the following, you are ineligible for expungement or having your record sealed:
- Arson
- Homicide or manslaughter
- Home invasion robbery
- Aggravated assault
- Sexual battery
- Carjacking
- Child abuse
- Burglary or robbery
- Computer pornography
- Abuse of an elderly or disabled adult
- Stalking
- Trafficking of controlled substances
- Kidnapping
- Acts of terrorism
- Luring or enticing a child
This is just a partial list. For more detailed information, contact your Lake City criminal defense attorney at Robinson, Kennon & Kendron, P.A.
Learn more about Florida criminal record expunction
The lawyers at Robinson, Kennon & Kendron, P.A. may be able to help you get a clean slate by having your criminal record expunged or sealed. To schedule a consultation, contact the law firm online or call 844.210.0025.